INDIANAPOLIS — Every year, the nation celebrates Veterans Day to honor those who have or currently serve in the U.S. military.
With that comes restaurants and businesses offering a token of their appreciation, with discounts and freebies.
Keep in mind, most places will require some form of proof of military service - like a military ID, VA card or discharge papers - to redeem available offers. All businesses listed are offering the deal or freebie on Veterans Day unless specified otherwise.
Here's a list of places offering special deals on Monday, Nov. 11, unless stated otherwise:
Want to add a business to our list? Send an email to newsdesk@wthr.com with information!
7 Brew Coffee
At all 7 Brew stands across the nation, veterans will receive 25% off any drink when they show a brewista a valid military or veteran ID on Monday, Nov. 11.
Applebee's
All veterans and active-duty military can get a free meal from a choice of seven of Applebee's most popular menu items, and a $5 Bounce Back Card towards their next meal. The free meal excludes a beverage and gratuity, and can only be redeemed for dine-in.
The menu items include:
- 6 oz. Top Sirloin
- Classic Bacon Cheeseburger
- Chicken Tenders Platter
- Double Crunch Shrimp
- Fiesta Lime Chicken
- Oriental Chicken Salad
- Three-Cheese Chicken Penne
A valid military ID or proof of U.S. military service is required.
Aspen Creek Grill
Aspen Creek Grill is offering one free meal voucher worth up to $15 to all veterans and active-duty military. Current and former military members can visit their local Aspen Creek Grill location to pick up their voucher from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11.
The $15 voucher can be redeemed starting Monday, Nov. 11 through Tuesday, Dec. 24. The offer is valid for dine-in visits only and excludes alcoholic beverages.
Military members must show proof of service through military ID cards, Veterans Affairs cards or discharge papers.
BJ's Restaurant
All current and former military can get a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie. The free Pizookie excludes tax and gratuity.
Veterans can also get a free appetizer on their next visit, through Dec. 31, 2024. The free appetizer also excludes tax and gratuity.
Proof of service is required.
Bob Evans
Veterans and active duty military personnel can get a free meal from the following 10 options:
- Country Biscuit Breakfast: A buttermilk biscuit topped with one egg cooked-to-order, crumbled Bob Evans® Sausage, country gravy and cheddar cheese. Served with hash browns, home fries or fresh seasonal fruit.
- The Classic Breakfast: Classic combination of two fresh-cracked eggs, cooked to order, with a choice of farm-famous breakfast meat. Served with a choice of freshly baked bread.
- Banana Berry Oatmeal: Rolled oat oatmeal topped with wild blueberries, sweet blueberry sauce, fresh banana slices and honey-roasted pecans. Served with fresh milk and a side of freshly baked banana nut bread.
- Sunrise: Two fresh-cracked eggs, cooked to order, and a choice of hash browns, home fries or fresh seasonal fruit. Served with a choice of freshly baked bread.
- The Mini Sampler: One egg cooked-to-order, hash browns, home fries or fresh seasonal fruit, two sausage links, one chicken sausage link or two hardwood-smoked bacon strips and a freshly baked biscuit.
- Brioche French Toast: Two slices of griddled brioche bread, dipped in real egg batter made with vanilla and cinnamon. Served with butter and syrup and topped with powdered sugar.
- Cup of Sausage Gravy & Biscuits: A cup of Bob Evans signature house-made sausage gravy with two freshly baked buttermilk biscuits.
- Buttermilk Hotcakes: Four fluffy buttermilk hotcakes served with butter and syrup.
- Bowl of Rolled-Oat Oatmeal: Made fresh daily. Served with real brown sugar, fresh milk and dried cranberries or pecans.
- Down-Home Country-Fried Steak: Topped with savory country gravy and served with mashed potatoes and green beans with ham, served with a choice of freshly baked bread.
Proof of service is required. Accepted identification includes US Uniformed Services ID Card, US Uniformed Services Retired Card, current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), veterans organization card (i.e. American Legion, VFW), a photograph of yourself in uniform, wearing uniform, DD214, and citation or commendation.
Bubba's 33
All veterans — including active, retired or former U.S. military — can choose one of six entrees, including a Classic Cheeseburger, Bubba’s Bacon Burger, Bacon Chicken Mac-n-Cheese, Grilled Chicken Salad, Chicken Tender Salad or any 12-inch pizza, plus a choice of any Coca-Cola product, sweet tea/iced tea or coffee during lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Proof of service includes military or VA card, or discharge papers.
Casey's
Casey’s is offering any size complimentary coffee or fountain drink to all veterans.
The same offer can be redeemed year-round by active duty military personnel and on-duty, uniformed first responders, including law enforcement, fire and EMS.
Emagine Theaters
All active military and veterans can visit the box office at any Emagine Theatre location and receive a free ticket for any film of their choosing.
A military service ID card or discharge papers are required to redeem the offer.
Golden Corral
All active, retired military members and veterans can get a free dinner from 4 p.m. until closing.
The Military Appreciation Night promotion is valid for active and former military members and does not extend to spouses, friends or other family members. The offer is for dine-in only.
Hooters
All veterans and active military members can get a free meal when they dine-in, with the purchase of a beverage, from the following options:
- 10-Piece Boneless Wings
- Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
- Grilled Chicken Sandwich
- Buffalo Chicken Salad
- Hooters Burger
Proof of service or a military ID is required.
IHOP
Veterans and active duty military personnel can get a free stack of red, white and blueberry pancakes at IHOP on from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Jaggers
Veterans and active military members can get a free regular-sized combo meal including all entrees (burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, tenders 6-piece and lower). This includes one drink and one side.
Proof of service, including a military ID card, VA card or discharge papers, is required.
Kolache Factory
All veterans and active military, with a government-issued military photo ID or DD 214, can get one free kolache of any kind and one cup of freshly-brewed Katz coffee, any size. The offer excludes croissants, Polish varieties and espresso drinks.
The deal can be redeemed Nov. 11 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lou Malnati
McDonald's
Participating McDonald’s restaurants will offer a meal to all veterans all day.
For breakfast, veterans can enjoy a free Egg McMuffin or Bacon Egg Cheese Biscuit meal, including a hash brown and any size soft drink, tea or coffee.
For lunch or dinner, veterans can enjoy a free Double Cheeseburger, 6-piece McNugget, or Filet-O-Fish sandwich with a small fry and any size soft drink, tea or coffee.
The deals are only available via dine-in or drive-thru.
A valid military ID is required.
O'Charley's
O’Charley’s is offering a special free lunch. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., veterans and active duty military can order one of the following free entrées. This offer is for dine-in only.
The special menu includes:
- O'Charley's Famous Chicken Tenders & Fries - Double hand-breaded Chicken Tenders served with Honey Mustard Dressing and fries.
- Classic Cheeseburger - Double smash patties topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles. Served with fries.
- Honey-Drizzled Southern Fried Chicken - A buttermilk breaded chicken breast drizzled with honey. Served with mashed sweet potatoes and broccoli.
- Southern Fried Chicken Tender Salad - With tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, bacon and cheddar cheese with our Honey Mustard Dressing.
- Shrimp & Grits - NEW! Creamy cheese grits topped with sautéed shrimp, peppers, and onions with our Cajun sauce.
- Or, for $10, veterans can upgrade to the Louisiana sirloin meal.
Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness is offering military members and veterans a month of free fitness. A military ID or proof of service is required to redeem this offer.
Here's a list of all of the participating locations in Indiana:
- Planet Fitness St. John (10103 Earl Drive)
- Planet Fitness Schererville (1040 US Highway 41)
- Planet Fitness Hammond (7929 Indianapolis Boulevard)
- Planet Fitness Crown Point (1656 East Summit Street)
- Planet Fitness Hobart (1901 East 37th Avenue)
- Planet Fitness Merrillville (520 East 81st Avenue)
- Planet Fitness Valparaiso (1270 Strongbow Center Drive)
- Planet Fitness Highland (3315 West 45th Street)
- Planet Fitness Portage (6221 US Highway 6)
Red Robin
Red Robin is offering veterans and military members a free Red's Big Tavern Burger and fries at participating locations.
Starbucks
The world's largest coffee chain is offering a free tall hot coffee for veterans, active military service members and military spouses at all U.S. Starbucks stores.
Taziki’s Mediterranean Café
Veterans can enjoy a free Grilled Chicken Gyro meal, which includes chips and a choice of a side — like cucumber tomato salad, roasted new potatoes, basmati rice, a fruit cup or pasta salad — when they dine in at participating locations. This offer is available while supplies last.
White Castle
The fast-food chain is offering a free individual combo meal or breakfast combo meal to all veterans and active-duty service members.
White Castle will also serve its Sliders in specially designed patriotic packaging.
No purchase is necessary, but they will be asked to show a military ID.
